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Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Culturing and Genetically Manipulating Entomopathogenic Nematodes
Published on: March 31, 2022
Role of Endosymbionts in Insect-Parasitic Nematode Interactions
Ioannis Eleftherianos1, Shruti Yadav1, Eric Kenney1
1Insect Infection and Immunity Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Science and Engineering Hall, 800 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
Abstract:
Endosymbiotic bacteria exist in many animals where they develop relationships that affect certain physiological processes in the host. Insects and their nematode parasites form great models for understanding the genetic and molecular basis of immune and parasitic processes. Both organisms contain endosymbionts that possess the ability to interfere with certain mechanisms of immune function and pathogenicity. This review summarizes recent information on the involvement of insect endosymbionts in the response to parasitic nematode infections, and the influence of nematode endosymbionts on specific aspects of the insect immune system. Analyzing this information will be particularly useful for devising endosymbiont-based strategies to intervene in insect immunity or nematode parasitism for the efficient management of noxious insects in the field.
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